Veteran Spotlight: Ramona Hedges

Today, we are honored to shine a spotlight on Ramona Hedges, a U.S. Navy veteran whose service journey is as remarkable as it is unique.

Naval Career

Ramona proudly served from 1978 to 1986 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class in Aviation Administration. Throughout her career, she worked with a variety of aircraft—including F-14s, C-130s, and UH-1N helicopters—overseeing maintenance schedules, inspections, and technical manuals critical to aviation readiness.

Her assignments took her across the country and beyond: two years with the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) in Norfolk, Virginia; two years at NAS Miramar in California; and three years at Point Mugu, California, as part of Squadron VXE-6. With this squadron, she deployed to Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, in support of scientific missions.

Operation Deep Freeze

One of the highlights of Ramona’s service was supporting Operation Deep Freeze, a U.S. Navy mission aiding the National Science Foundation’s research in Antarctica. In 1985, she was present during helicopter flights that carried scientists who discovered the hole in the ozone layer—an event of global importance.

Ramona recalls the excitement of witnessing firsthand the collaborative efforts of scientists from around the world studying Antarctica’s extreme environment.

A Unique Mission: Penguins to San Diego

Among her most unforgettable experiences was transporting the first two loads of penguins to the San Diego Zoo in 1985 for its inaugural penguin exhibit. Traveling in a C-130 aircraft with 300 penguins at subzero temperatures, her team endured 24 hours of flight time with stops in Auckland, Barbers Point, and San Diego. The conditions were grueling—loud, cold, and odorous—but the mission succeeded. The penguins seen at the zoo today are descendants of those flights.

Although the task was voluntary—promising three days of liberty in San Diego—Ramona and her team were soon asked to repeat the mission after their success.

Lessons and Legacy

Reflecting on her service, Ramona shared:

“The service instilled in me a strong work ethic. Later in my career working at the Sheriff’s Office, this ethic and the military helped me assimilate to law enforcement ethics.”

For her contributions, Ramona received the Antarctic Service Medal and is proud to be a member of the “Old Antarctic Explorers” (OAE). Since 1987, she has called San Luis Obispo County home, where she continues her commitment to community as a member of the American Legion.

Honoring Service

We thank Ramona Hedges for her dedication, her adventurous spirit, and her extraordinary service to both our nation and the global scientific community.